Open Heart
By D. S. Mitchell
Most regular readers of Calamity Politics know that I spent 40 years as an ICU nurse before I began writing sleazy novels and editing this website. The only reason I’m bringing up the subject of hospitals is that my son is undergoing open heart surgery at this very moment. Although I know doctor’s have been fine honing their skills in cardiothoracic surgery for close to 70 years I am still terrified for him. As we all know, when it’s you or one of your own, all stored knowledge and understanding of the mechanics of the situation fly out the window; at least in my case that’s what has happened. ‘OMG; he could die,’ my frenzied brain keeps repeating.
Me and his two adult children along with a circle of close friends are holding our collective breath waiting for news on his post surgical condition…finally after over 8 hours I get a text from my granddaughter who explains the surgeons told her the procedure(s) had all gone “great” and now it was 12 week of healing and rehab before he would be back to normal activities. Just like that. She told me he was on a vent and couldn’t talk; and added they would start weaning him off and by tomorrow he would be able to at least text me. I said a silent prayer of thanks and told her how much I appreciated the call.
Death has been hovering close recently making this recent emergency especially terrifying. My son’s beautiful and remarkable wife, Tracey, died of cancer in January; after 35 years of marriage. What a blow. We were all devastated and in fact, are still trying to find our emotional footing. The next shock came when one of our dearest friends, David L., was diagnosed with a brain tumor and died a month later. It’s been a tough year and it’s only half over; but my son’s prognosis sounds good and that is a big relief. I’m sick of bad news and I’m ready for some major healing.
